Posted by Clint Dixon [74.206.62.210] on Monday, October 12, 2015 at 19:47:13 :
Back in 1980, I finally got around to cleaning over 30 years worth of grease and crud off the underside of my '47 WDX. Having cleaned the axle housings, I noticed that the welded on differential carrier covers had been painted yellow. The remainder of the axle housings appeared to have been coated only with red Gyptol (both may have had an overcoat of black paint at one time). I just figured that a previous owner had painted the covers yellow for some unknown reason.
A couple of years later I bought another '47 WDX. Upon cleaning, I discovered that it also had yellow coated differential covers. My first WDX was originally from South Dakota. My second was originally from Pennsylvania, so I thought it was too much of a coincidence to be owner applied.
A few years later a friend acquired a '46 WDX. Upon seeing my truck, he commented on my yellow differential covers and said his had yellow ones also.
I believe the subject may have come up on this or other forums at one time. Thirty years later, unmolested trucks are getting harder to find and a vast number of Power-Wagons today are about twice as old as they were back in the early 80's. I seen other yellow differential covers over the years, but have kind of forgotten about it due to the length of time and lack of original trucks.
Just last weekend I found another that I have pictured here. There is some obvious yellow remaining on the front differential cover along with what appears to be some original black. Notice the red Gyptal on the driver's side housing.
I bring this subject up to solicit discussion. What are your ideas on why differential covers would have been painted yellow?
Thanks, Junior
Follow Ups: